Can Effexor trigger or worsen seizures?

Topic:

My doctor gave me Effexor XR and told me it wouldn't be harmful even though we think I might be having seizures. But I've heard a lot of bad things about antidepressants causing seizures, so I'm worried anyway.

Also, it doesn't seem to be helping my depression at all after several weeks of being on it. Could my depression actually be related to my neurological problems?

Comments

I just had to respond to you.....I just joined because I read this post as I am looking fro information on this medication. I had some major issues with this medication, it did make me have seizures. I was seizure free for 5 years I had completly stopped taking all antiepliptic medications while I was pregnant with my daughter BOTH TIMEs (and this was cold turkey, no weekng off the medication) I really knew my body and understood my limits with my epilepsy and it was not severe then. I suffered post partem after I had my children which is where the Effexor came into the picture. Once the dose reached 225mg is when the problem arose I had one seizure grand mal and two days later I had another one which I ended up in hospital. It was really bad resulting is major injury. Since they have had a very difficult time regulating my seizures and needless to say it has made my depression worse. So the moral of the storey....yes it has happened to another person out there it is an awful thing I now experience different types of seizures I am not sure if it is a result of injury or what but just get checked out!

I am on 225 of Effexor. I had 2 seizures about a year and a half ago. Then thanksgiving night I had another one. I have been told that Effexor foes lower the seizure threshold. I'm being weened off Effexor!

Hello Miranda~ I take Effexor XR and do have seizures not due to the drug though.I like it and it does seem to help me.I have never heard of anti depressants actually causing seizures...not saying that they cannot,I have just never heard of it.Have you seen a neuro?Has he done any testing on you?He would be the one to ask just to be safe.Good luck and God bless you

I've been seeing a neurologist, but haven't gotten the test results back. He told me Effexor would be safe, a I was on benzos before. I was taking Valium and Xanax, but my doctor chose to stop because thjose can cause withdrawel seizures and he thought they were causing my depression.